Hyvinvoinnin lähteillä

”Why should I tell them about sex? One of them just jerks off all day and the other one thinks kissing is hard core sex.” – A nurse in a disabled supported living unit.

Those sentences can sum up the thoughts of many social and health care professionals about the sexuality of a person with a disability or an elderly person. You don’t want to see any kind of sexual activity on your own work shift, or certainly not to be helping someone who can’t express their desires in the right way. It would be sheer madness to even be enabling two disabled people who love each other to express their love. We have noticed that there is not enough public debate about sexuality for both these groups of people.

There are social taboos surrounding sexuality in these groups. For whom is sexuality allowed? The right to enjoy sexuality can only be realized if each person is free to express their own sexuality. However, in many societies, sexuality for children, young people, the elderly and minorities is still a taboo subject, often leading to a lack of respect for sexual rights. Sexuality of people with disabilities and the elderly is often not even acknowledged. We think that sex belongs to everyone no matter who you are. The UN human rights conventions also require sexual health services to be provided for people with disabilities, including the elderly (United Nations n.d., Article 25).

Choking off sexuality

Sexuality is as much about biology as it is about emotions and feelings. It is individual, multifaceted and develops throughout life. Sexuality can be expressed in many ways: through thoughts, beliefs and values, as well as through partnerships and relationships. Sexuality involves pleasure and the search for one’s own sexual identity. Sexuality is an essential part of human well-being and health. It is part of the well-being of the mind and body and can also serve as a resource. A good rule of thumb is that sexuality is what we are, and sex is what we do.

Various psychological and physical difficulties or limitations can be the cause of sexual problems. Suppressed sexuality causes many problems for people. These problems can appear as physical symptoms, low self-esteem and lack of sexual ability. A healthy social identity includes satisfying sexual needs, fulfilling preferences and finding one’s own sexual identity. (Kero Katja & Väisälä Leena 2019, Mielenterveystalo.) People need positive experiences of themselves and their sexuality throughout their life cycles. This neglect is evident, for example, in sexual and reproductive health care: in many countries, sexual health services are often offered only to adults or married people, and the needs of other groups are not taken into account. Clearly, untreated sexual problems add to the burden of health services. Sexual dysfunction is common and is sometimes linked to medical conditions or their treatment. It is important that problems with sex are not a taboo subject, more like a helping hand. (Brusila P. Kero K. Piha J. & Räsänen M. 2020.) For example, when doctors consider giving medicine to elderly people, they should consider that it can affect sexual ability negatively.

Sex in old age, really?

“As memory loss progresses, the blanket continues to flap and the inhibitions dry up.”

When we think about sexuality and sex in old people over 70 years old, the question arises: is there any of it? As we grow older, our sexuality is subject to interpretations and expectations. It is affected by the physical limitations and psychological changes that come with age.

For older people, the biggest factor influencing the realization of sexuality is the relationship. Ageing does not affect men’s sexual desires in the same way as women’s. The number of sexual intercourses decreases with age, but both sexes still enjoy having intercourses if they are physically able to. The majority of older people want a more active sex life, something our society should pay attention to. For older people, the availability of assistive devices, the offering or adjusting of medication, and making sexual activity possible also in nursing homes could increase older people’s satisfaction (Kontula 2009).

Disabled but not sexually dead!

The UN Convention on Disability defines persons with disabilities as those who have a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with various barriers, may prevent their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (WHO 2009).

People with intellectual disabilities need the same information about sexuality as everyone else. They also need information about physiological and psychological changes, acceptable sexual behavior, diseases, contraception and hygiene (Henttonen 2005).

There are as many sexual needs as there are different types of individuals. For many, a little kiss may indicate the best sex ever, but for others, 15 minutes of private time under the shower is enough. Self-suppression is often seen as aggression and behavioral disorders in people with disabilities. We have to make sure that everyone can have a healthy sex life with themselves or with their partners. Professionals working with disabled people should be aware of ways to improve the sexual well-being of clients with disabilities.

Happy ending

We think that sex improves mood, physical health, as well as adds to your immune system and brain activity. It is a healthy way to spend time and relax. It’s also damn fun. Sex reduces the risk of heart disease, extends lifespan and can protect against disease (Rajala 2008). Our own prejudice must not limit the life of another person and each of us has the right to self-determination.

Everyone will be old one day and you might even get disabled by accident. Everyone deserves to have well-being through their own sexuality in any case. We believe that sex is an expression of love, trust and a natural painkiller also for disabled and the elderly. When you are old or perhaps disabled…

….Would you be willing to give up love entirely?

….Would an orgasm improve your well-being?

….Would your suppressed sexuality affect your nature? Let’s finish with Erika Vikmans Eurovision song words … ICH KOMME!

Writers:

Granat Kristian, Kiljunen Ria, Kylmäaho Anri, Pesonen Johanna, Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Pehkonen Pirjo, Peteri Juha and Savela Sanna. Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences.

Sources:

The work has used AI as follows: DeepL Translate. Used for language correction 20.2.2025. https://www.deepl.com/en/write

Brusila P. Kero K. Piha J. & Räsänen M. 2020. Seksuaalilääketiede. Duodecim. Seksuaalilääketiede – Duodecim Oppiportti. Viitattu: 3.5.2025

HUS. Mielenterveystalo. Mitä seksuaaliterveys tarkoittaa? https://www.mielenterveystalo.fi/fi/omahoito/seksuaalisuuden-omahoito-ohjelma/mita-seksuaaliterveys-tarkoittaa. Viitattu: 5.3.2025

Kero, K. & Väisälä, L. 2019. Naistentaudit ja synnytykset. Duodecim. Naistentaudit ja synnytykset – Duodecim Oppiportti. Viitattu: 5.3.2025

Kontula Osmo 2009. Ikäihmistenkin seksielämä on aktiivista ja tyydyttävää. Duodecim 125(7):749-56. https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo97963  Viitattu 20.2.2025

Santalahti, T. 2024. Sukupuoli-identiteetin ja seksuaalisen identiteetin muodostuminen. Lääkärikirja Duodecim. Sukupuoli-identiteetin ja seksuaalisen identiteetin muodostuminen – Terveyskirjasto. Viitattu: 5.3.2025

I need sex too. Picture: Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/fi/illustrations/rakkaus-erityistarpeiden-kanssa-417823/. Viitattu: 3.4.2025

Different needs, different tools. Picture: Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/fi/illustrations/leluja-aikuisille-kuvakkeet-6990492/. Viitattu: 3.4.2025

United Nations n.d. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol. United Nations. https://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf Viitattu 5.3.2025 World Health Organization 2009. Promoting sexual and reproductive health for persons with disabilities: WHO/UNFPA guidance note. https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/srh_for_disabilities.pdf. Viitattu 20.2.2025

There are a lot of charity organizations these days, and one of the biggest ones focused on helping
children and youth is World Vision. At the heart of this organization is Christian love for others.
Their vision is that every child should have a chance in life and be part of a greater mission.
Improving living conditions for children in target countries and providing humanitarian aid to victims
of natural disasters and conflicts are just some of the tasks World Vision takes on. The main focus
is acting out of love for others, promoting hope and a sense of partnership.

World Vision started its work in Finland in 1983 when translator Ulla Tervo began a sponsorship for
a young boy in the Philippines. International sponsorship efforts, however, kicked off way earlier, in
the 1950s, thanks to an American correspondent and pastor, Bob Pierce. He began giving $5 a
month to help an orphaned girl in Asia, ensuring she could go to school and receive healthcare.
Even today, the organization helps nearly 2 million children worldwide, working with local partners
in places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Picture 1. Indonesia.

INTERNATIONAL COURSE AT THE DIACONIA COLLEGE IN HELSINKI
My thoughts go back to the fall of 1994 when I was studying an advanced studies in
internationalization of social welfare and health care at the Diaconia College in Helsinki. The
course covered a wide range of topics related to international development, like refugee work,
global systems, multiculturalism, the work environment in Europe, and world religions, as well as
language and communication.

After all the exams and lectures were done, there was still a six-week international practical
training ahead. My classmate Tarja (a radiographer) and I ended up choosing Indonesia as our
destination, specifically projects run by World Vision in Jakarta, Semarang, and Bali.
Our choice of destination surprised many since the organization wasn’t well known to most of our
fellow students or even to our teachers. World Vision wasn’t one of the institute’s typical aid
partners at that time.

After many phone calls, letters and telefaxes, we finally arranged with World Vision’s Jakarta office
to participate in their local aid projects, some of which were located in the slums around the city.

MEETINGS IN JAKARTA, A MULTICULTURAL METROPOLIS
After a long 17-hour flight, we arrived in the warm, tropical city of Jakarta, which immediately made
a huge impression on both me and my friend Tarja. With over 10 million residents, this huge
metropolis made Helsinki seem like a small town. Our next big surprise came when we got into a
taxi and navigated through Jakarta’s chaotic traffic, filled with thousands of cars and motorbikes.
Traffic in the city was noisy and overwhelming, so you have to take more time to move one place to
another.

The next day, we met with the staff at World Vision’s Jakarta office, who warmly welcomed us. We
brought a gift from Finland – an Oiva Toikka glass bird – which they greatly appreciated. After a
warm meeting, we continued to a large slum area near the city, where they had several projects in
progress.

Picture 2: Co-operation

We first visited a family whose smiling mother told us that thanks to World Vision’s help, one of
their children could attend school every day. During this visit, we also got to know two small
businesses supported by World Vision, one a small general little shop and the other a bicycle
repair shop in the slum.

Before we left the area, we took a closer look at a sewer and toilet improvement project that had
been started years ago. Improving the sewage system is essential for improving the living
conditions of those in the slums, helping to reduce health issues by preventing the spread of
diseases. We could already see several completed outdoor toilet buildings in the area.

IN THE JUNGLE AT SEMARANG
After a week, we moved on from Jakarta to Semarang, a city on the northern coast of Java, where
a local Catholic priest and his wife greeted us. Our mission was to visit a local orphanage run by a
Finnish woman. The personnel was mostly made up of foreign nurse-students doing volunteer
work. The location of the orphanage in the middle of the jungle, far from everything, surprised us,
even the Catholic priest was a bit confused by our plan to visit there.

Since we had brought along medicines, books, and small toys donated by the Diaconia college
Helsinki, we decided to go with our original plan and made the long journey to the orphanage deep
in the jungle.

Our stay there was short, though, as the living conditions were very basic. We slept in bunk beds,
the toilet was just a hole in the floor, and the showers were outdoors, with the sky as the roof.
Thankfully, we had mosquito nets with us, which we hung over the beds to protect ourselves from
mosquitoes, spiders, and small black geckos.

Picture 3: Courtyard

Our return from the jungle was quite an adventure. We traveled back to Semarang in several
different horse-drawn carts with our big suitcases. Once we got back to the city, all the emotions
from the trip came out, and we both cried some tears of relief. A warm shower, a nice hot meal at
the hotel, and even a sauna helped us recover our energy after the jungle adventure.

BACK IN FINLAND
With our experiences, we returned to Finland as the first students from the Diaconia college to visit
Indonesia World Vision. We gave a presentation at the college about our trip. We wore the batik
dresses and local wooden jewelry we had brought back from Jakarta to give the audience a little
taste of the Indonesian culture.

Now, twenty years later, it’s wonderful to see that World Vision’s work is still going strong, bigger
and better known in Finland and around the world. The need for aid hasn’t disappeared, and
support is still needed. The work continues with great heart, respecting human dignity and human
rights. The journey goes on.

WRITER:
Marjo Lomperi-Ääri, Student of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Program at
Savonia University of Applied Sciences (UAS)

SOURCES:
World Vision. https://www.worldvision.fi/meista/suomen-world-vision/. Referred. 15.10.2024
Jakarta, Indonesian capital. https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta. Referred. 14.10.2024

Online meetings are here to stay. People often feel exhausted in online meetings. Therefore we all should, both for ourselves and for others, to take into account the common rules of the game, which help us survive in online meetings. By knowing and following the rules of the game is how we can manage our own work. Do we really know what makes us exhausted in online meetings? Can we change our working methods in online meetings so that we support our health and well-being? There are several instructions and checklists related to the topic, but there is usually no researched information behind them. However, there is still little research available on the effects of online meetings on wellbeing.

There are a few international studies on methods that promote the well-being of online meetings. For example, Shoshan and Werth’s study Understanding “Zoom fatigue”: A mixed-method approach investigated whether online meetings are more tiring than meetings held via other means of communication They also studied whether the duration of the online meeting, the number of participants or the presence of a supervisor affects the amount of fatigue. The term Zoom Fatigue, describes exhaustion in online meetings. According to the study, online meetings were experienced as more exhausting than meetings organized in other ways. (Shosan & Werth, 2021).

What exhausts us in online meetings?

Shosan’s and Werth’s (2021) study also collected information on what reduces the risk of burnout in online meetings. They noticed that in an online meeting with camera on, it’s as if we are constantly looking closely at each other, and it creates a similar feeling as if we were speaking to an audience that is staring at us. Usually, in face-to-face meetings, our gaze wanders among different people and objects and we don’t look at every participant all the time, and thus we don’t have the feeling that everyone is looking at us all the time. In online meetings, the number of glances is many times higher than in a face-to-face meeting. If the cameras are not in use, we have to work harder to replace nonverbal communication, because we don’t always see each other’s expressions or gestures (Bailenson J. 2021). If the camera is on, then being the object of attention is exhausting, and if the camera is not on, we use energy to interpret nonverbal communication. So in online meetings both the presence of the camera and the meetings without the camera burden us more than when attending the face-to-face meetings.

When nonverbal communication strains our thinking, we also strain through our eyes when we try to follow the events on the screen. Did you know that Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) occurs with excessive computer work? Eyes have to work harder if your computer has glare, reflections, low contrast, or poor resolution. Symptoms of CVS include blurred vision, dry and irritated eyes, eye fatigue and headaches. Healthy and safe display computer work is safety if the glare-free lighting of the work environment is good. For example, it is good to filter the light coming from the windows with blinds, curtains or window tinting or screen reflection protection. Or we can look for own sweet spot, i.e. viewing the display computer optimally, where the gaze is directed downwards and outwards. (CooperVision, 2024).

What really positively affects survival in online meetings?

A study by Shosan and Werth (2021) found that participants felt that good management and coordination of meetings helped them cope better. Well-planned meetings, where permission to speak is requested, are less tiring. In such meetings each participant is well prepared for the meeting, and care is taken to manage time and stay on topic. Also, the fact that only necessary people are present helps to avoid being exhausted. The more participants there were in the meeting studied, the heavier the meeting seemed. Taking breaks was also felt to be important.

Seija Moilanen’s blog published by the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Center provides support and tips for the practical implementation of Shosan and Werth’s (2021) research results. Good preparation helps reduce the risk of getting tired. Agreeing on common rules of the game is important so that we participate equally. We can agree in advance on using the functions of the online meeting application or preparing for the use of the camera, and when camera can be turned off. It is good to schedule time for the meetings and be really present without simultaneously multitasking. It is also good to agree on taking breaks and telling about them in advance. Even in short online meetings there should always be time to take a short break. We should vary activities, share the material, as well as use chat and reaction functions such as thumbs up and hand clapping. It enables everyone to express their opinion. Let’s all attend as if we participate in face-to-face meetings by smiling and nodding, for example.

The guidelines for healthy and safe display computer work are also supported by the previously mentioned Shosan and Werth’s (2021) study, where it was found that the flawless functioning of the technology and the working space is a significant factor in reducing fatigue. Participants should have sufficient equipment and an environment suitable for working equally, for example in terms of lighting and good quality sound and image reproduction.

It’s not only what happens between us and computer what helps us really improve our well-being in online meetings

If we think that we can fiddle around at work and charge batteries in our spare time, let’s think again. Pesola, Pekkonen and Finni (2016) write ”Why is excessive sitting dangerous?” in their article that there is plenty of research evidence that excessive sitting is a health risk. Exercising in free time in accordance with the recommendations does not reduce sitting time. Increasing exercise does not affect all the mechanisms underlying the health risks of sitting, such as the increase in insulin resistance and the oxidation of muscle tissue. (Pesola, Pekkonen and Finni, 2016). So let’s remember to take a break and get up from the chair even in online meetings or, for example, go out and attend a meeting with headphones on.
Based on research data, we already can influence how to take care of our well-being in online meetings, but more information is still needed. The Working Life Research Center and Tampere University are launching a wide-ranging research project, where the aim is to find out the functionality and effects of different types of meetings from the perspective of the participants and organizers, and to produce suitable tools for the evaluation of meetings for the development of Finnish working life (Tampere University, publishing time unknown). So maybe soon we will get tips that suit the Finnish mentality, with which we can tune our online meetings to be effective and also take care of our work well-being.

But in fact, we already have a lot of effectiveness data. We can all influence our future working conditions and effectiviness in online meetings. We should follow together agreed ground rules and take care of our own well-being in the ways we know to be effective. We should also participate in researches of this topic, if there is chance to do so and that way promote amount of information of effective online meeting habits.

Here are some tips based on research evidence to promote coping in online meetings:
• Good preparation.
• Agreeing advance on common game rules.
• Agreeing advance on using the functions and turning on or off the camera.
• Reserve time and avoid overlapping.
• Vary what you do and how you share the material.
• Use chat and reaction functions, such as thumbs up and hand clapping, to express their opinion.
• Participate, smile and nod like in attendance meetings.
• Take note lighting and resolution, the center of the screen 5-10 cm below the eyes and 50-70 cm away from the face.
• Eye rest every two hours and looking away from the screen every 20 minutes.
• Good network connections and optimal working environment.
• Take a break, move and go outside for a meeting.

Writers

Annukka Tuovinen and Marika Lätti, Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences  

Jaana Hämäläinen, Pirjo Pehkonen and Sanna Savela, Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences 

Sources

Arto J. Pesola, Mika Pekkonen ja Taija Finni. 2016. Article; Why is excessive sitting dangerous? Medical journal Duodecim 2016;132(21): 1964-71. https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo13381.
Accessed 3.3.2024.

Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Center, 2022. Seija Moilanen`s blog 19.5.2022. https://ttk.fi/2022/05/19/kohdataan-verkossa-2/. Accessed 10.3.2024.

Bailenson Jeremy N. 2021. Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue. Online publication. Published 23.2.2021. Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue · Volume 2, Issue 1 (apaopen.org). Accessed 10.3.2024.

CooperVision, 2024. Computer Vision Syndrome: new problem nowdays. https://coopervision.fi/silmien-hoito-terveys/nayttopaatenakohairio-uuden-ajan-uusi-ongelma. Accessed 18.3.2024.

Shosan Nesher & Wehrt Wilken, 2021. Understanding ”Zoom fatigue”: A mixed method approach. Online publication. Published 1.11.2021. Understanding “Zoom fatigue”: A mixed‐method approach – Nesher Shoshan – 2022 – Applied Psychology – Wiley Online Library. Accessed 20.3.2024.

University of Tampere publication date unknown. From palaverism to productive meetings. Online publication. Palaverismista tuottaviin kokouksiin | Tampereen korkeakouluyhteisö (tuni.fi). Accessed 25.3.2024.